David Beckham

Biography

Happy Feet

The English team captain breaks the second metatarsal bone in his left foot in a Manchester United game versus Spanish club Deportivo La Coruña. The injury jeopardizes Beckham's chance of playing in the summer's World Cup, causing a national hysteria. "Nothing is more important to England's arrangements for the World Cup than the state of David Beckham's foot," Time reports Prime Minister Blair saying during a cabinet meeting. Fortunately, he recovers in time to play for England. He redeems his 1998 mistakes with a redemptive win versus Argentina, but England is disqualified after losing to Brazil, who go on to win the 2002 World Cup.

November 2-3

Family Man

Five people are arrested after planning to kidnap wife Victoria and their two sons, Brooklyn and Romeo, for a $7.5 million ransom. Beckham issues a public statement: "The first role of a father and husband is to keep his family safe," and announces plans to improve security at the couple's $13 million, 24-acre mansion, known popularly as "Beckingham Palace." Charges against the suspects are later dropped due to an unreliable witness.

2003

March 12

She Likes the Way He Moves

In Bend It Like Beckham, an English-Indian character's obsession with the British soccer star – whose decade-long Manchester Union career includes six English Premiership titles, two Football Association Challenge cups and one Champions League win – introduces him to American audiences.

July 01

Welcome to the Real World

Although Manchester United made Beckham the world's highest-paid footballer with a three-year, $22 million contract in 2002, he's acquired by rival club Real Madrid after a public rift with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. However, Beckham still plans to play for England's national team in international competitions. He undergoes a 90-minute physical in the capital that is televised around the world amidst a Spanish media frenzy.

November 27

Thank You, Queen Elizabeth

Wearing a black top hat and tails, Beckham receives an OBE (Order of the British Empire) from the Queen for "services to football" at Buckingham Palace. Although the iconic English superstar has recently been traded to Real Madrid in Spain, the BBC reports him saying, "[The award] is not just for me, but for Manchester United, England, all of my teammates and my family."

2004

April 04

Becks Hit with Scandal

Britain's News of the World tabloid breaks the story that Beckham had an affair with his twentysomething former assistant, Rebecca Loos, and sent her sexually suggestive text messages. In an official statement, he calls the allegations "ludicrous," but more reports of naughty texts and affairs come out with at least six other women. Beckham and wife Victoria fight back, posing for photographs together while holding hands. "The simple truth is that I am very happily married, have a wonderful wife and two very special kids," he says in the statement.

2005

June 02

Those Who Can, Teach

He announces plans to launch the David Beckham Academy in Carson, Calif, with first classes beginning in the spring of 2006. The center provides training sessions for boys and girls, using the same drills Beckham grew up with as a Manchester United trainee. Another Academy opens in London in November, with plans for an Asian institute in the works. "It's about giving kids an opportunity to go to a soccer academy like mine," he says in a press conference. "[If] it produces new stars, boys and girls, if it produces the new Mia Hamm, it's special and it's worked."

2006

August 11

No Becks to Kick Around Anymore

Beckham is dropped from England's national team after playing 94 games with them, including three World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006) and a European Championship in 2000. "I know people said I should have seen it coming, but it was a total shock," he tells Britain's Daily Mirror. He resigned as England's captain in July after a disappointing World Cup game in Germany.

2007

January 11

Coming to America

Due to his reduced playing time with Real Madrid and to help Posh pursue her fashion ambitions, the Beckhams decide to move to L.A.. The soccer star signs a reported $250 million, five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy, igniting a media storm. "We sold 5,000 season tickets in less than 48 hours," Tim Leiweke, a Galaxy executive, tells SportsIllustrated. "I can't believe what just happened here."